BALINEWSID.COM, TANGERANG – Minister of Immigration and Corrections Agus Andrianto and Presidential Chief of Staff General (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman met with children undergoing rehabilitation at juvenile correctional facilities across Indonesia ahead of National Children’s Day 2026.

The event was held at the Tangerang Class I Juvenile Correctional Facility (LPKA) on Tuesday (July 21, 2026), with children from LPKAs across the country participating virtually. The children had the opportunity to speak directly with Agus and Dudung in a warm and informal atmosphere.

The visit began with a marawis musical performance by children at the Tangerang LPKA. They also performed a collaboration featuring angklung and a band, including Dudung’s song titled Ayo Ngopi.

Agus and Dudung also inspected several facilities at the Tangerang LPKA, including classrooms, vocational training rooms, a community learning center and library, the kitchen, and a workshop practice area.

Agus said Dudung’s presence was expected to provide additional motivation for the children in care. He noted that the children have various talents that can be developed as valuable skills for their return to society.

“They have talent. I hope they can learn from this experience so that when they return to society, they will be ready to contribute and support the government in advancing Indonesia,” Agus said.

He also encouraged the children to use their time at the LPKA as an opportunity to prepare themselves for the future.

“Make your time at the LPKA a valuable provision for your future. This is also a lesson for our staff to continue serving with dedication,” he said.

Dudung, meanwhile, emphasized that the state remains present in supporting children undergoing rehabilitation, including by providing education, care, and guidance.

“You should be grateful that you are receiving guidance, education, and three meals a day. Everyone makes mistakes, but God admires those who are tested,” Dudung said.

He urged the children not to dwell on their past mistakes and instead focus on building a better future.

“Do not look back. Make the most of today, and remember that the future is a dream that must be fought for. Your future is still bright. You must have dreams, remain optimistic, and hold on to hope,” he added.

Banten Deputy Governor R. Achmad Dimyati Natakusumah also said the children in care still have opportunities to build a better future. He stressed that the government has a responsibility to provide education and guidance to help them develop.

“Children can become anything. They can still become generals, while we cannot. They can still be guided toward whatever they want to become. As parents, we must be able to educate them,” he said.

Dimyati suggested that some children may have ended up at juvenile correctional facilities due to inadequate parenting and upbringing. He said they need proper guidance and support to help them grow into individuals with integrity and dedication.

“They need mentors. Hopefully, in the future, they will become children of integrity and dedication who can contribute to the nation and the country,” he said.

During the event, Agus and Dudung also handed out stationery packages to children at the Tangerang LPKA. In addition, children across Indonesia who meet the required administrative and substantive criteria will be eligible for sentence reductions in conjunction with National Children’s Day 2026.

The program is in line with the principles outlined in Law No. 11 of 2012 on the Juvenile Criminal Justice System and Law No. 22 of 2022 on Corrections.

National Children’s Day will be commemorated on Thursday (July 23, 2026). This year’s observance, themed “Love Children, Protect Them and Build Their Future,” is also intended to highlight the importance of providing care, education, and opportunities for children undergoing rehabilitation in juvenile correctional facilities.